Thursday 28 February 2013

Thursday ...

Thank you for all the kind and positive messages about the Kenya episode which aired last night for the first time. And yes, camel milk DOES taste lovely ... AND as it happens is the leanest milk available!

Tonight, there is the Western Cape of South Africa in the UK and New Zealand in Europe, Middle East and Africa ...

"Tell 'em about the honey, mummy ..."
Kissing a fool ...
Tonight:

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Western Cape (South Africa)

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - North Island of New Zealand

Song of the Day:


Film of the Day:

Brief Encounter ... a classic ...  

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Wednesday ...

Tonight is the first showing of the Kenya episode ... safari, camel milking, safari ... stars (one of my favourite time-lapses I have seen) ... safari, safari, safari ...

Airing schedule below ... with repeats this weekend. 

Enjoy!



Tonight:

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Kenya

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Kenya

Song of the Day:

Moon River - Henry Mancini (Audrey Hepburn)

Film of the Day:

Breakfast at Tiffany's ... “Love should be allowed. I’m all for it. Now that I’ve got a pretty good idea what it is.” 

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Tuesday ...

C'mon week ... progress will you? I need decisions!

Um - David Bowie's new single ... a classic ... the video ... superb ...
The Stars (are out tonight) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH7dMBcg-gE

Tonight, French Polynesia ... Bora Bora ... ah, crystal blue seas, rays ... how I wish I were there right now ...

Tomorrow is the first showing of the AWESOME ... Kenya episode!


Firestarter ...

Tonight:

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - French Polynesia

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Singapore

Song of the Day:

Save The World - Swedish House Mafia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXpdmKELE1k

Film of the Day:

Battleship (... truly awful ... of James Cameron awfulness!)

Monday 25 February 2013


Monday ...

I didn't stay up to watch The Oscars last night but did chuckle at Family Guy in the news clips this morning ... he is a funny chap (well, I think so).

It's been a cold, cold day ... thank goodness for open fireplaces and thick socks. I do not envy anyone who flew into the UK today ... brrr & windy too.

Tonight it's Abu Dhabi ... I am sure it's hot & sunny there (dream, dream) ... and Santa Barbara ... which features one of my favourite hotel swimming pools in the world ...


A giraffe kiss in Abu Dhabi...
Tonight:

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Abu Dhabi

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Santa Barbara

Song of the Day:

We Saw Your Boobs - Seth MacFarlane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TWLKP8j0zk

(haha)

Film of the Day:

The Lazarus Project ... I enjoyed ...

Sunday 24 February 2013

Sunday ...

Wow! I am exhausted ... and my lovely, comfy, warm bed beckons.

A big week (positive - I hope) looms, I feel.

Tonight, a repeat of the lovely & colourful Vietnam episode.

Have begging Pooch beside me that needs feeding ...

 With Bravo ... 
At My Son (Vietnam's Angkor Wat)
Tonight:

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Vietnam (repeat)

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Vietnam (repeat)

Song of the Day:

Rock the Casbah - The Clash

House at the End of the Street - Sinister, it ain't ...

Saturday 23 February 2013

Saturday ...

I am not the world's greatest driver ... and the idea of driving up to Scotland and back in well, two days, filled me with fear and dread!

As it happens ... it's been rather painless ... great music, gallons of Ribena (blackcurrant flavour) and frequent stops for food and fuel have made it easier ...

I have been stopped twice by the "men in blue" both times as I was slightly over the speed limit. Two warnings later (no fines) and I am driving like tortoise ...

HAWAII ... yes, that is tonight's episode. Halekulani, surfing, gliding, Maui, turtles, golf, bright shirts ... it was, on reflection, the saddest week of my life.

Anyway ...





With surf king - Hans Hedemann



Tonight: 




UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Hawaii



Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Hawaii



Song of the Day:

Harlem Shuffle - Rolling Stones (not the Harlem Shake!)





Film of the Day:



Sinister ... CREEPY ... do NOT watch in hotel by yourself!



-----------------------------------------------------

Friday 22 February 2013

Friday ...

Finally the weekend has arrived ...

All hands on deck here on the SS Sharma ...

Tonight it's a revisit to Mexico - Las Ventanas (awesome) and Four Seasons Punta Mita (lovely) ... golf, glass-blowing, baby turtles, sea lion ... a wonderful episode.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ...!



Yes - I am being kissed by a sea lion (Jenny) ... 


Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Mexico

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Mexico

Song of the Day:

Sabotage - Beastie Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE

Film of the Day:

Gamer - Gerard Butler ... how I laughed ... 



-----------------------------------------------------

Thursday 21 February 2013

Thursday ... 

Thank you for all the positive and sweet messages about the Vietnam episode that aired for the first time yesterday. I have had six people enquiring about my purple jacket (with the fabulous pink silk lining) ... but NO ... it's not for sale! If I haven't worn it by July, I will give it away ... to one of the six though ...

Tonight it's a wee blast from the past - Quebec - complete with lovely polar bears and amazing whales in the St Lawrence River and ... and ... and ... 

Canadian Gothic

I fed these chaps ... but they didn't leave a tip ... !

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Quebec

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Quebec

Song of the Day:

Trash - Suede

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PdKGDMhau4

Film of the Day:

Faster, PussyCat. Kill! Kill! (Russ Meyer classic 1965)


Wednesday 20 February 2013

This evening, a brand new episode of Inside Luxury Travel is airing on Travel Channel ... Europe, Middle East & Africa - CET - 2300 hrs ... UK - GMT - 2200 & 2300 hrs - Sky 251 & 252 ... and tonight, we are in Vietnam ... AND please don't worry if you miss it, this episode will be repeated over the next few days a few times ... 

Vietnam ... ah yes ... My Son (Vietnam's Angor Wat), Hoi An and Can Tho. Driving about, new jacket, yummy cuisine, rain, more rain ... wonderful people ... the mighty Mekong ... sad memories ... and hot cola and rum as a cold cure (!) ...

I need a whisky!



 My new jacket - that I have yet to wear ...
At the Temples of My Son

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Vietnam

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Vietnam

Song of the Day:

Maid of Orleans/Joan of Arc - OMD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmwMhjbThKg

Film of the Day:

13 Assassins (Brilliant Japanese Samurai movie ... just brilliant)

Tuesday 19 February 2013


Tuesday ... another stunning but cold day. Freezing fog all morning. I could hear lambs bleating and calves mooing ... but couldn't actually see them ... it was quite strange but lovely.

No ILT on television tonight - JUST tonight - we are back tomorrow with the first showing of Vietnam!


tomorrow ... 

Tonight: 

We are having a rest ... so you must too! 


Tomorrow, it's the first showing of the Vietnam episode!!

Song of the Day:

Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jj3wZVc7nw

Film of the Day:

Four Brothers (LOVED it ... superb soundtrack ...)

Monday 18 February 2013

Monday ... a totally rubbish day ... but at least the sun was shining and the sky blue ... 

Come on week ... I need you to improve! Pronto! 

Barcelona is on tonight ... what an episode that was.
At the Presidential Desk in the Presidential Suite at Gran Hotel La Florida

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Barcelona

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Barcelona

Song of the Day:

Barcelona - Montserrat Caballe & Freddie Mercury

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHRd0R-uKHc

Film of the Day:

Pig Chicken Suicide - Yoshihiko Matsui

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qV_6MQ8YVc

Sunday 17 February 2013

Sunday ... a beautiful day. Cold, clear, fresh ... so I spent time outside enjoying the lovely air.

A testing week coming up I fear ... but here's hoping for a calm and satisfying outcome to it.

There are some VERY odd movies out there ... how did they get produced?!

So - tonight is a repeat of lovely Cambodia!


 Method of transport in Siem Reap
Stopover ...


Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Cambodia

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Cambodia

Song of the Day:

Pale Red - Jerry Burns (how did she NOT become a HUGE star?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbKgAlpfM5s

Film of the Day:

Anchorman (hahahahahahahahahahaha ....  hahahahhahahahhahahhahaha ... plop)

Saturday 16 February 2013

Saturday ... no rain but it's cold.

Getting much work done ... and trying to catch up on old Family Guy episodes ... how I have laughed.

Tonight it's Prague! Beer baths, golf, BEER drinking ... I must revisit this wonderful city soon!

My private ballerina - Nikola Marova - at the Prague State Opera House

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Prague

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - Prague

Song of the Day:

Thank You For Loving Me - Bon Jovi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESOVrc4K3CQ

Film of the Day:

Cowboys and Aliens (stupid, stupid, stupid ... how old is Harrison Ford?)

Friday 15 February 2013


The weekend is finally here ... phew ... time for urgently required "brain rest" ...

Just read that Prince is headlining at the Montreux Jazz Festival this year ... one of the greatest musicians in the world, playing at one of the greatest venues ... dear Father Xmas ...

Tonight's episode is from South Africa ... more specifically Durban and Phinda ... KwaZulu Natal ... The Oyster Box in Durban, &Beyond in Phinda, lighthouse, golf, SAFARI ...

Have a great weekend!
 Lighthouse at Unhlanga Rocks
My limo in Durban

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - KwaZulu Natal (South Africa)

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm - KwaZulu Natal (South Africa)

Song of the Day:

Screw Driver - Prince

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV-23VtvHXY

Film of the Day:

Oldboy (horrible ... but excellent)

Thursday 14 February 2013

HAPPY VARUNTINES! ;)

Thank you for all the kind messages about the Cambodia show that aired last night. It was a truly lovely country to film in ... and Siem Reap IS one of the "places to visit before your die".

Next week we air Vietnam.

Long, long day ... so a short, short Diary.

Tonight, on Travel Channel, it's a revisit to Tasmania!

Off to play a round of "hickory golf" at Ratho ... the oldest golf course in the Southern Hemisphere!


Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Tasmania

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Tasmania

Song of the Day:

Lovecats - The Cure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcUza_wWCfA

Film of the Day:

Annie Hall (a LOVEly movie ... Woody Allen at his finest)

Wednesday 13 February 2013

This evening, a brand new episode of Inside Luxury Travel is airing on Travel Channel ... Europe, Middle East & Africa - CET - 2200 hrs ... UK - GMT - 2200 & 2300 hrs - Sky 251 & 252 ... and tonight, we are in Cambodia!
It was a wonderful trip: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, showering with the General Manager of Amansara (!), shopping with the General Manager of Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor and Eric Raisina's fabulous silk! Enjoy ... !

 Usual way to get wet ... "my" pool at Raffles
Unusual way to get wet - with Sally from Amansara


Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Cambodia

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Cambodia

Song of the Day:

The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7hHx7gdN68

Film of the Day:

Hansel + Gretel (crazy, weird, mad ... South Korean!)



Tuesday 12 February 2013

Where do I wish I was today? 

Have a guess ...

Tonight (repeat): 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Lisbon + Sintra

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Lisbon + Sintra

Song of the Day:

Black Water - Doobie Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqZ95a249p0

Film of the Day:

End Call (Japanese Horror ... weird)

Monday 11 February 2013


Another cold, dark, wintry, miserable day in "jolly" old England.

I left my house just the once ... on a mercy dash to the gym for a long and painful run.

I so hate Mondays.

Anyway, tonight one of my favourite episodes that I have ever filmed is being repeated ... my Indian safari. Yes - tigers, elephants, wild dogs ... fabulous camps, brilliant Guide and stunning food ... on a day like today, I can but dream ...

Feeding roti to an elephant in India (Pench National Park)

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - India (safari)

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - India (safari)

Song of the Day:

There Must Be An Angel - Eurythmics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlGXDy5xFlw

Film of the Day:

Bicycle Thieves (1948, Italian, a must-see)

Sunday 10 February 2013


KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!!!

I am so lucky that I once celebrated Chinese New Year in China (Shanghai) ... it was GREAT fun ... 

Sadly today I am in England ... where it is raining to flooding proportions, it's so cold I have been wearing my bright red onesie and so dark that the lights have been on all day.

I had hoped to visit Monkey World (too wet) ... but did end up at the seaside (& dinosaur museum - where I could stay dry!) ... so all was not totally lost.

Wishing you all the best for the Year of the Snake (the culebra ... my favourite cigar shape!) ...



Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Lisbon + Sintra

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Lisbon + Sintra

Song of the Day:

The Pancakes - Cross the Mountain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFxhENPgFV0

Film of the Day:

Fatal Move (aka Triad Wars)

Saturday 9 February 2013

Happy Saturday ... !
A Bahamas road sign!

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Bahamas

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Bahamas

Song of the Day:

Blue Hat for a Blue Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXVTBxg7nq4

Film of the Day:

Man About Town (one of the two movies that Ben Affleck shines in ... other being Argo)

Friday 8 February 2013


The weekend is here! Yipee!

I have snow to look forward to. On with the thick socks ...

Yesterday I drove through two villages ... Chicklade ... followed by Henlade ... how I chuckled.

How I wish I was on safari this weekend!






Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Botswana

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Botswana

Song of the Day:

A Case of You - Joni Mitchell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6voJjexENok

Film of the Day:

Flame & Citron (just a superb movie)

Thursday 7 February 2013


Thank you for all the kind messages about the Lisbon episode that aired yesterday - the first show of the new series. It was filmed mid-2012 but I remember that week in the Portuguese capital (& indeed Sintra) as if it were yesterday ...

I am definitely getting itchy feet - need to travel ... but to where ... Sweden ... maybe?

Watch Travel Channel tonight (see below) please ... I munch on bear (yuk), board The Vassa in Stockholm ... and just so much more :)


 The Tree Hotel in Sweden ... one of my Top 5 in the World ...
The MirrorCube

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Sweden

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Sweden

Song of the Day:

Ron Burgundy (Anchorman) - Afternoon Delight - FABULOUSLY AWESOME (stay classy!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoEZnWKtTOU

Film of the Day:

Looper (so bad, it's almost ok ... actually ... it's far from being ok ... it IS just bad)

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Tonight - NEW SERIES, NEW EPISODE of Inside Luxury Travel on Travel Channel ... Europe, Middle East & Africa - CET - 2200 hrs ... UK - GMT - 2200 & 2300 hrs - Sky 251 & 252 ... Tonight, we are in LISBON ...

And if you are not already sick of me: http://www.mangopr.co.uk/blog/2013/02/mango-meets-varun-sharma/

Am I the only person addicted to: Words With Friends ... or are there more?

Tower of Belem
At Penha Longa (Ritz-Carlton)


Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Lisbon + Sintra

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Lisbon + Sintra

Song of the Day:

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDN5rG3wLa4

Film of the Day:

71: Into the Fire (how students from the South helped stop the North in 1950 ... Korea that is)

Tuesday 5 February 2013

The snow is back! It's bitterly cold and I have been dreaming of white sand beaches, a cloudless sky and a deep blue sea ... ahhh ... Mauritius!!

"I was born under a wandrin' star"
Not me then ...
Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - California (Central Coast ... Big Sur, Monterey, Half Moon Bay)

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - California (Central Coast ... Big Sur, Monterey, Half Moon Bay)

Song of the Day:

Perfect Day - Lady Antebellum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbLi-3eHIN0

Film of the Day:

Max Manus: Man of War (Brilliant Norwegian war movie about the country's bravest and most successful resistance fighter in WW2)

Monday 4 February 2013

Back in the gym today after a week off-sick ... and ouch ... do I now hurt!

Have started going through the archives of ILT today ... all 6 years worth! So many lovely, lovely memories ...

It's so nice to see that Travel Channel are repeating so many of the old episodes.

Captain Varun, I presume?

Just use the door!

Tonight: 

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Antigua

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 10 & 11 pm - Antigua

Song of the Day: 

Freedom - Level 42

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcyYVZdyk8w

Film of the Day:

The Guard Post (South Korean - excellent)
 
blogger template powered by fraktiv